This program began April 8, 2019 and enrollment has ended.

To learn more about scheduling a private program or to express interest in the next public offering, please contact Michael Patrick for more details.

(3 Week Series) Monday & Wednesday Evenings

“If you can breathe and move in any way, you can do yoga. I’ll show you how.”

— MICHAEL PATRICK

Overview/Details

You’ve heard a lot about yoga and maybe have even tried a class once only to find that it was too fast paced, it was presented only in ways that your body doesn’t quite move in yet, or maybe you wanted to connect more with your inner being, but got an aerobics-style gym class instead. You may have left thinking that yoga isn’t for you. Well, yoga is for you! Maybe you just need to experience a different type of yoga, do it at slower pace and in a way that builds with each successive lesson.

Kripalu Yoga is a gentler and slower-paced yoga. It meets your body where it is, recognizing and honoring abilities and limitations. Instead of forcing yourself to be something that you’re not, you can graciously celebrate yourself -- just as you are.  When we are able to meet, love and accept ourselves where we are, it is from there that we can blossom. 

Kripalu Yoga emphasizes personal growth and transformation through the practice of yoga. Safety, personal responsibility and witness of the self without judgment are hallmarks.

It is accessible for all levels (beginners through advanced), where modifications and the use of props help each person find their ideal expression of the poses when they are doing them. While other forms of yoga certainly result in personal growth and transformation, Kripalu Yoga hones this focus in a gentle and accessible way.

“The highest spiritual practice is self-observation without judgment.”

— SWAMI KRIPALU

Program Components

This program is designed for people who haven’t done yoga before or have had little experience with it and want to learn at a manageable pace.

Over the course of 3 weeks, six 75-minute tutorials introduce four breathing techniques, warm up exercises, 24 yoga poses and the principles of Kripalu Yoga.

Program is accessible for all levels of fitness, especially beginners.

Graduates of a previous program described their experience:

“We wanted to try yoga, but were unsure if we — as beginners — would be comfortable and welcome in a class. Michael’s Centered Presence beginner's tutorial series was the perfect starting point for us, with him guiding us every step of the way. The suggested modifications for the more difficult poses were especially helpful. The sessions were a great way to unwind at the end of hectic days, and we look forward to starting our next series of classes to learn and experience even more.”

- CHUCK BEARD & JOHN FABAC

Program Details

Basics

• How to Sit

• Prop Use

• Om Chant

Principles of Kripalu Yoga

• Safety, Personal Responsibility, Observation of Self without Judgment

• Stages of Kripalu Yoga - Will and Surrender

• Being at the Edge of Sensation

• Riding the Wave

Breathing Techniques (Pranayama)

• Three-Part Breath (Dirgha)

• Ocean-Sounding Breath (Ujjayi)

• Alternate Nostril Breath (Nadi Shodhana)

• Skull-Polishing Breath (Kapalabhati)

Yoga Poses

• Boat (Navasana)

• Bridge (Setu Bandhasana)

• Child’s Pose (Garbasana)

• Cobra (Bhujangasana)

• Corpse (Shavasana)

• Downward Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana)

• Eagle (Garudasana)

• Gate (Parighasana)

• Half Moon (Ardha Chandrasana)

• Half Shoulder Stand – Supported (Ardha Sarvangasana)

• Head to Knee (Janu Shirshasana)

• Knee-Down Twist (Supta Matsyendrasana)

• Mountain (Tadasana)

• Pigeon (Kapotasana)

• Posterior Stretch (Paschimottanasana)

• Seated Spinal Twist (Matsyendrasana)

• Side Warrior (Parshva Virabhadrashana)

• Standing Squat (Chair Pose) (Utkatasana)

• Standing Wide Angle (Prasarita Padottanasana)

• Symbol of Yoga (Yoga Mudra)

• Tree (Vrksasana)

• Triangle (Trikonasana)

• Upward Boat (Urdhva Navasana)

• Warrior (Virabhadrasana)

Program Schedule

• Tutorial Session 1
  April 8, 2019, 7:00-8:30 PM

• Tutorial Session 2
  April 10, 2019, 7:00-8:30 PM

• Tutorial Session 3
  April 15, 2019, 7:00-8:30 PM

• Tutorial Session 4
  April 17, 2019, 7:00-8:30 PM

• Tutorial Session 5
  April 22, 2019, 7:00-8:30 PM

• Tutorial Session 6
  April 24, 2019, 7:00-8:30 PM

In this Tutorial Program, Kripalu Yoga is introduced with detail. No experience with yoga or exercise is necessary.

Props, such as yoga blocks and cushions, are used to ensure safety and surety. Instruction will be done at a pace to allow absorption of the material and give time to practice. Attendees will be able to share what they experience with the group.

NOTE: This program is followed by the Kripalu Yoga Practical Yoga Program, which explores applying yoga to practical, everyday life. It runs May 6, 2019 through May 22, 2019.

About the instructor

Michael Patrick, LMT, KYT, CPC

As a Licensed Massage Therapist, Kripalu Yoga Teacher, Certified Professional Coach and former Scientist, I bring all the gifts of who I am to my work. Driven by the desire to elevate others, my career initially spanned the biotech industry, interdisciplinary research and laboratory safety. Over the past decade, it evolved to wellness and now I work in my own company, Centered Presence, Ltd. As a presenter, my workshops are characterized by elements of touch, intimacy, authenticity, embodiment, grounding, presence, spiritual practice and cultivation of inner awareness, which result in personal growth and empowered movement forward.

Learn more at www.centeredpresence.com